By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II

The Commission on Higher Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR), through its UniFAST Unit, joined the University of the Cordilleras (UC) on December 10-11, 2024, for a sustainability assessment of Project SAGIP (Scholars and Grantees Action in Greening Initiatives Program) at the Busol Watershed in Baguio City.

Earlier this year, UC staff and UAQTEA grantees conducted a tree-planting activity at the watershed, in line with the objectives of Project SAGIP. The recent two-day activity aimed to evaluate the sustainability and impact of these efforts on the local environment.

Project SAGIP, conceptualized by CHED-CAR Regional Director Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan Jr., was officially launched on May 18, 2021, during CHED’s 27th Founding Anniversary. The initiative seeks to foster environmental stewardship among students by requiring recipients of CHED and UniFAST financial assistance to plant at least one fruit-bearing or indigenous tree each year during their grant period.

Since its inception, the project has facilitated the planting of over 8,000 seedlings, contributing to reforestation and raising environmental awareness within the academic community. This initiative underscores CHED-CAR’s commitment to integrating environmental responsibility into higher education programs.